Bud Walton Arena

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Bud Walton Arena
nickname = The Basketball Palace of Mid-America


fullname =
location = 1270 W Leroy Pond Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72701-5570
coordinates =
broke_ground = Spring, 1992
built =
opened = November 29, 1993
renovated =
expanded =
closed =
demolished =
owner = University of Arkansas
operator = University of Arkansas
surface = Hardwood Floor
construction_cost = $30 Million
architect =
structural engineer =
services engineer =
general_contractor=
project_manager =
main_contractors =
former_names =
tenants = Arkansas Razorbacks and Lady'Backs basketball teams
seating_capacity = 19,200
dimensions =

Bud Walton Arena (also known as the Basketball Palace of Mid-America) is the home to the men's and women's basketball teams of the University of Arkansas, known as the Razorbacks (men) and Lady'Backs (women). It is located on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas and has a seating capacity of 19,200, which is the fifth largest for an on-campus arena in the United States.

Construction

The arena is named after James "Bud" Walton, cofounder of Wal-Mart, who donated a large portion of the funds needed to build the arena. Walton purportedly gave 15 million, or around half of the construction cost. [ [http://arkansas.scout.com/2/659494.html Old Model, New Money] Scout.com, accessed January 13, 2008] Construction of the arena took only 18 months, a short time considering the size of the undertaking.

Early Years

The arena has been the home to the Razorbacks and Lady'Backs since November of 1993; the men's team won the national championship [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/memories/final4/articles/final94.htm Arkansas hits Hog Heaven With NCAA Title] The Washington Post, accessed January 13, 2008] in the arena's first season of operation. The previous arena in which both teams played, Barnhill Arena, was renovated into a volleyball-specific facility and now houses the Lady'Backs volleyball team. [ [http://www.ladybacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2300&ATCLID=68524 Barnhill Arena: Home of the Lady Razorbacks] University of Arkansas, accessed January 13th, 2008] Bud Walton Arena has more seats in less space than in any other facility of the same type anywhere in the world. [ [http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=6100&KEY=&ATCLID=187020 Bud Walton Arena] University of Arkansas, accessed January 13, 2008]

Improvements

The past few years have brought a number of enhancements and improvements to the arena. In 2004, a new custom scoreboard was debuted which is 24 feet, three inches wide by 22 feet tall, features four video screens, each 12 feet, six inches wide by eight feet, 10 inches tall. (Also, there is an LED ring at the top that is used to display game statistics.) In 2005, the locker rooms were remodeled, and a lounge and meeting area were added. On April 30, 2007, the University of Arkansas announced the expansion of Bud Walton Arena in the form of addition of 12 luxury suites. The addition of these boxes will expand seating to 19,368. [ [http://www.sports-venue.info/NCAAB/Bud_Walton.html Arkansas' Bud Walton Arena] Sports Venue, accessed January 13, 2008]

References

Statistics of Bud Walton Arena

Average attendance (12 seasons): 17,291

Attendance Record: 20,320 vs. Kentucky January 26, 1997

Attendance Chart (men) for every year Bud Walton Arena has been in operation

External links

* [http://www.razorbackfacilities.com/sport02.htm Bud Walton Arena overview by RazorbackFacilities.com (official facilities site of Arkansas men's athletics)]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=fayetteville,+ar&t=h&hl=en&ll=36.061485,-94.178088&spn=0.004042,0.013475&t=h Google Maps Satellite/Map of Bud Walton Arena]
* [http://www.ladybacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2300&ATCLID=68782 Bud Walton Arena overview at LadyBacks.com (official site of Arkansas women's athletics)]
* [http://www.fayettevilletourism.com/attractions/details.phtm?id=275 FayettevilleTourism.com information on Bud Walton Arena]
* [http://www.rateitall.com/i-25389-bud-walton-arena-university-of-arkansas.aspx RateItAll.com Rating of Bud Walton Arena]